The deadline allowing Umrah pilgrims to travel without vaccination has been extended by another 15 days.
According to focal person Dr Murtaza Shah, Umrah pilgrims can now travel without vaccination until October 10. He said the extension was granted to facilitate pilgrims and improve arrangements for them.
New Vaccination and NADRA Facilities
Five NADRA facilitation centres have been established at the Karachi Airport dispensary, while vaccination services at the Jacob Lines dispensary will begin next week.
The issuance of digitalised vaccination certificates for Umrah pilgrims and other passengers travelling abroad has also started.
However, thousands of passengers in Karachi are facing difficulties because only one vaccination centre has been established for them.
The federal Ministry of Health has set up the centre at the Federal Civil Dispensary near the Old Terminal.
Passengers, particularly elderly people, women and infants, are facing difficulties because of limited facilities. The vaccination centre has only one room, resulting in heavy crowds.
Vaccination Process Linked With NADRA
Under the current procedure, passengers must register through the NADRA Pak ID app. People travelling abroad can also register through NADRA e-Sahulat centres.
Influenza and meningitis vaccinations have been made mandatory for Umrah pilgrims.
The federal government has linked the vaccination process with NADRA and digitised the system to help prevent the forgery of vaccination certificates.
Passengers Report Delays
Passengers said they had been waiting at the vaccination centre since 8 am but were not receiving proper information.
Several passengers said their flights were scheduled within the next 12 to 15 hours, but they had still not received their vaccination certificates.
The Ministry of Health has advised passengers to visit vaccination centres 10 days before travelling abroad.
Passengers and Umrah pilgrims have demanded an increase in the number of vaccination centres and improvements in available facilities.
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